Buzz Out Loud 1555: Netflix to Qwikster to Regretflix? (Podcast)

Netflix rocks our world with the news that they're splitting up into two separate companies: Netflix for streaming and embedded media delivery, and Qwikster (yeah, seriously) for DVD delivery. Best part? Two Websites, two accounts, two queues! What's not to love? Also, Google Wallet and AT&T LTE arrive, Molly tees off on the Droid X again, and be warned, mateys: we do talk like pirates.

Netflix rocks our world with the news that they're splitting up into two separate companies: Netflix for streaming and embedded media delivery, and Qwikster (yeah, seriously) for DVD delivery. Best part? Two Websites, two accounts, two queues! What's not to love? Also, Google Wallet and AT&T LTE arrive, Molly tees off on the Droid X again, and be warned, mateys: we do talk like pirates.

Wordsworth lets us know that the Yahoo Chat has not been working since Sept 11th

EMAILS

Hey Buzz Crew:

Here’s what I don’t understand: Reed Hastings sends out this e-mail to apologize for not explaining the rate increase, and then never explains why they did it! I was expecting him to say that they had to raise rates because of the movie studios, but then he talks about renaming the DVD by mail business? That’s like BOL saying “”We’re sorry you are upset about us going to a weekly podcast. But now….we have a new RSS feed address.”"

Like many of you I woke up to an email from our pal Reed Hastings. At first I was furious and put off by the decision to split up Netflix. I blame the lack of coffee and it being 5am. After my coffee and morning workout I came to a realization. We knew this was going to happen. If my memory serves me, I think it was Molly (or maybe Tom) who once said something to the fact of, "They called it Netflix for a reason."
So yeah, Netflix was eventually going to get out of the DVD by mail service. Although, I don't think anyone expected it to happen today! While I accept this change, it doesn't stop me from being very reticent about it. I'm sure there is some legal mumbo jumbo that keeps these two services apart from here on out. However, the thought of having to subscribe to two different services now, kind of sucks.
I'm going to keep both for now seeing how my apartment complex just "upgraded" our internet from 3Mb to 1Mb (that's not a typo) and streaming quality has taken a major hit. I just hope Netflix can sustain itself on just streaming alone. I'd hate for them to have to change their name to: Regretflix.
Mike from Illinois

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Hey Buzz Crew
I wanted to let you know about this great new company I found. Its really good, they have a sizable DVD/Bluray collection to rent from, though you have to wait for new releases. They also have an ok streaming service that was part of a different company until recently when they merged the two. So now its much simpler to use as you only have to go to one site.
Also they recently announced a big content deal which will give customers access to a lot of new release movies., and they just combined pricing plans so its now cheaper!
I hear down the road their looking to eliminate that delay on new release DVDs too. I think this is the best service out there.

You know when you play the Netflix story backwards it makes a lot more sense. I wonder if it will sync up with Dark Side of the Moon?

Love the Show
Chip from Boston

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Dear Buzz Crew.

This is unrelated to the recent shows as I am a bit behind due to a family emergency. I’m writing on a sad note because my father recently passed away very suddenly. Totally unexpected.

He was truly a geek. We used to tease him and ask if he ever repaired his glasses with a Band-Aid. He had. We jokingly bought him pocket protectors for Christmas one year. He used them. My mom even had his slide rule collection framed for him a few years ago. As I was going through some of his computer files recently I even discovered that he was a CNET.com user! I don’t know how much or what he used but he had created a login. Anyway. I thought it was a fitting tribute to write in to my favorite geeks of the internet and share that with you guys.

I’ve attached a photo. On the left is my dad when he was around 18. I think it may have even been his high school graduation photo. On the right is a photo that’s a few years old but a good one.

A side note and a bit of a service announcement…
To those of you who do everything online: Please, please, PLEASE determine a way to share your passwords with those closest to you in case of an emergency. My dad was really good about secure passwords and document security. Maybe too good for his own good. It’s making things even more difficult for my mom in this awful time when it comes to online accounts and bills. Just have a plan in place in case of emergency. You don’t want to have to use it and hopefully it won’t be needed… You just really never know.